What's On
Scroll down the page to discover an exciting range of events every month as well regular, weekly activities, for all ages, on offer at your local Idea Store.
September |
|
 |
Thursday 21 September 6:00 - 7:30pm Exhibition Launch: Protests of the 80s From Tuesday 19 September until Friday 29 September we will be hosting a small exhibition on our first floor landing called ‘Protests of the 80s’, curated by the Isle of Dogs Living Archive Project. Using oral history interviews, the exhibition examines the impact of the closure of the Docks on the local community and explores the numerous protests which took place during the 1980s in response to redevelopment on the Isle of Dogs. Free, no booking required. Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives |
October |
|
|
Saturday 7 October, 10:30am - 4:00pm African and Caribbean Family History Day Get help researching your African and Caribbean ancestors and find out more about African and Caribbean heritage in London’s East End at this free family history event, run in partnership with the Tony Cheeseman Foundation (www.tonycfoundation.com). A variety of talks will take place throughout the day and visitors will have the chance to browse a number of stalls and displays. A full programme will be announced shortly – check our website for further details. No booking required, just drop in. Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives |
|
Thursday 12 October, 6:30 - 7:30pm Talk: Jewish Participation in the Fire Service during World War Two Join Martin Sugarman (Archivist, Association for Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women) and Stephanie Maltman (Firemen Remembered) for this fascinating account of the essential role played by Jewish people in the Fire Service during the Second World War. Hear previously untold stories of courage, including that of the only London fireman to be awarded the George Cross for bravery during the war. Free, no booking required. Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives |
 |
Friday 13 October, 3:00 - 4:00pm and 7:00 - 8:30pm Jah Wobble As part of the London Libraries Festival we present two events featuring the legendary musician Jah Wobble. Jah Wobble in Conversation with Mike Tyrell 3:00 - 4:00pm Exploring a whole host of East End topics in what promises to be a classic afternoon of insightful, entertaining conversation. Jah Wobble and Invaders of the Heart 7:00 - 8:30pm A live performance taking a fantastic aural journey through dub, world, ambient and avant-rock music, as Jah paints his entrancingly dark, textural soundscapes. Idea Store Whitechapel For further details and to get your FREE tickets see our London Libraries Festival page. |
|
Writeidea Festival Preview Saturday 21 October, 2:00 - 4:00pm Author Event: Leslie Cavendish The Cutting Edge: The Story of the Beatles’ Hairdresser Who Defined an Era The Beatles' hair changed the world. As their increasingly wild, untamed manes grew, to the horror of parents everywhere, they set off a cultural revolution as the most tangible symbol of the Sixties' psychedelic dream of peace, love and playful rebellion. At the centre of the epochal change was Leslie Cavendish, hairdresser to the Beatles and designer of the four iconic men's hairstyles, a brand image as immediately recognisable as the Nike swoosh or the Coca-Cola bottle. But just how did a fifteen-year old Jewish school dropout from an undistinguished North London suburb, with no particular artistic talent or showbusiness connections, end up literally at the cutting edge of Sixties' fashion in just four years? His story - honest, always entertaining and inspiring - parallels the meteoric rise of the Beatles themselves, and is no less astounding. FREE tickets available here Idea Store Whitechapel |
|
Monday 23rd October, 11:00am - 12:30pm |
|
Writeidea Festival Preview Wednesday 25 October, 6:30 - 8:00pm Bollywood's hidden history, the Mumbai mafia ... and a crime fighting elephant! Bollywood is the world's most prolific movie industry. In terms of sheer ticket sales it is now bigger than Hollywood. In this session Vaseem Khan, author of 'The Strange Disappearance of a Bollywood Star', the third book in his bestselling India-based crime series, will present a talk on the hidden history of Indian cinema, revealing how the incredible changes that the country has witnessed over the past century have often been reflected on screen, and vice versa. He will also explore the longstanding connection between the Mumbai underworld and Bollywood. Vaseem is the author of the bestselling Baby Ganesh Detective Agency series, a series of crime novels set in India, and featuring Inspector Ashwin Chopra, and his sidekick, a baby elephant. The first book in the series: 'The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra' was a Times bestseller and a Waterstones’ paperback of the year. Idea Store Canary Wharf |
Throughout the Year
 |
Story Time Rhymes, stories and fun for babies and children up to 5 years old, plus time to choose your favourite books! Story Time takes place at all Idea Stores and libraries Monday to Saturday10:30am - 11:15am |
|
Reading Aloud Relax after school with refreshments and a story The Daily Serial for children up to 11 years takes place at all Idea Stores and libraries. Monday to Friday, 3:30pm |
Mondays
 |
Job Support Session with Krypton Training Delivered in partnership with Krypton Training Ltd, a specialist careers advice and employment support service provider. Helps you with the skills you need to get back to work, including creation of CVs and covering letters and support with application forms and interview technique. For more information or to book an appointment contact 020 7375 3843 Mondays, 10:00am - 5:00pm Idea Store Whitechapel |
 |
Prime Time Have an enjoyable and relaxing time, meet new and familiar friends, enjoy a cup of coffee and chat with staff about new books, CDs, DVDs. For the over 50s. Mondays, 10:15am - 11:45am Idea Store Whitechapel |
 |
Knit and Natter Bring your knitting, lunch and hang out with other knitters.New members always welcome. Unravel and unwind!! Mondays 1:00 - 2:00pm Idea Store Canary Wharf |
 |
Make the Most of Your Tablet, Your Computer and the Internet Learn and practice basic computer skills at your own pace. Mondays, 1.00pm - 2.00pm Idea Store Bow |
|
Book Break |
|
Boys' Book Club For boys up to 11 years. A club especially for boys to get together and share their reading experiences, explore a range of reading materials and media and talk about anything that interests them. Snacks and drinks provided. Have lots of fun making friends and enjoy a variety of activities. Look out for quizzes and prizes – and maybe a penalty shoot out. In all Idea Stores and libraries Mondays, 4:00 pm |
|
Make the Most of Your Tablet, Your Computer and the Internet Learn and practice basic computer skills at your own pace. Mondays, 6.00pm - 7.00pm Idea Store Canary Wharf |
 |
PopLaw Legal Advice PopLaw is FREE legal advice clinic run by qualified solicitors who will offer initial legal advice on all areas of the law except family and immigration. This is a drop-in service, no appointments necessary. Mondays, 6:15pm - 8:15pm (starts 6 February 2017) Idea Store Whitechapel |
Tuesdays
|
|
Job Club at Cubitt Town Library Make the Most of Your Tablet, Your Computer and the Internet Age UK and Cancer Awareness Information |
|
Toy Library Borrow good quality educational toys to enjoy at home with all the family. Run in partnership with Toyhouse. Tuesdays (Term Time Only) 11.00am - 11.45am Idea Store Bow |
 |
Bromley by Bow Centre Health Trainers The trainers: offer BMI checks, discuss healthy lifestyle options and advise and sign up to health sessions and classes. 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month, 11:00am - 1:00pm Idea Store Bow |
|
Job Support Session with Krypton Training Delivered in partnership with Krypton Training Ltd, a specialist careers advice and employment support service provider. Helps you with the skills you need to get back to work, including creation of CVs and covering letters and support with application forms and interview technique. For more information or to book an appointment contact 020 7375 3843 2nd and 4th Tuesday of month, 10:00am - 5:00pm Idea Store Chrisp Street 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month, 10:00am - 5:00pm Idea Store Bow |
|
Book Break Sit back and relax whilst listening to stories and poems, or join in with the reading and conversation. Tuesdays, 1:00pm - 2:00pm, Idea Store Canary Wharf Tuesdays, 2:00pm - 3:30pm, Idea Store Chrisp Street Tuesdays, 3:00pm - 5:00pm, Idea Store Bow |
|
Girls' Book Club This group is a fun way for girls to get together and enjoy stories and a wide variety of activities, such as quizzes and creative projects. Make new friends and gain new experiences by taking part. In all Idea Stores and libraries Tuesdays at 4:00pm |
|
PopLaw Legal Advice PopLaw is FREE legal advice clinic run by qualified solicitors who will offer initial legal advice on all areas of the law except family and immigration. This is a drop-in service, no appointments necessary. Tuesdays, 6:00pm - 8:00pm Idea Store Chrisp Street |
|
Bengali Book Group Discuss books with fellow readers and share in the rich cultural diversity of the Bengali language and community. First Tuesday of every month, 6:30pm - 8:00pm Idea Store Whitechapel |
Wednesday
|
Citizens Advice Bureau Service - Advice in Chinese Information and Advice on all general enquiries in Tower Hamlets aimed at Chinese speakers. Booking an appointment is necessary. To book an appointment call 020 7247 1050 Wednesdays, 10:00am - 1:00pm 塔橋區公民諮詢局諮詢服務 逢星期三早上10時至下午1時在Chrisp Street Idea Store提供諮詢服務。 如要預約時間，請於星期一至星期五上午10時至下午4時致電 0207 247 1050，我們每次最多只能接見5位客戶 Idea Store Chrisp Street |
|
Legal Advice Free 30 minute one to one legal advice sessions with barrister Alison Fordham.By appointment only. Book a slot at the Help Desk Wednesdays, 4pm - 6pm Idea Store Canary Wharf |
|
Job Support Session with Krypton Training Delivered in partnership with Krypton Training Ltd, a specialist careers advice and employment support service provider. Helps you with the skills you need to get back to work, including creation of CVs and covering letters and support with application forms and interview technique. For more information or to book an appointment contact 020 7375 3843 1st and 3rd Wednesday of month, 10:00am - 5:00pm, Idea Store Watney Market 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, 10:00am - 5:00pm Idea Store Canary Wharf Every Wednesday, 10:00am - 5:00pm Idea Store Whitechapel |
|
Job Club Our Job Club which offers free, friendly advice on finding suitable training courses, developing your employability skills, Writing CVs and application form and searching for a jobs and interview techniques. Wednesdays, 10:00am - 12:30pm Idea Store Whitechapel |
 |
Aaj Kal: Current affairs in Bengali Discuss local and international news,views or even a book and learn basic computer skills over tea and coffee. Wednesdays, 11:00am - 12:00pm Idea Store Chrisp Street |
|
Make the Most of Your Tablet, Your Computer and the Internet Learn and practice basic computer skills at your own pace. Wednesdays, 12:00pm - 1:00pm Cubitt Town Library Wednesdays, 2:00 - 4:00pm Idea Store Chrisp Street |
|
Book Break Sit back and relax whilst listening to stories and poems, or join in with the reading and conversation if you want to. Get Into Reading groups are an enjoyable way to meet new people. Wednesdays, 2:00pm - 3:30pm Idea Store Watney Market |
|
Code Club Would you like to learn to make your own computer games? At Code Club you can learn to make cool games, animations and websites too! Fun for ages 7 - 11 years Wednesdays at 4pm In all Idea Stores and libraries Wednesdays, 4:00pm |
|
Turning Pages Book Group A chance to talk all things books! Third Wednesday of every month 6 - 7.30pm Idea Store Canary Wharf |
|
Book Group Discuss books with fellow readers at our informal, free monthly meetings. First Wednesday of the month, 7:00pm - 8:30pm Idea Store Bow |
Thursday
|
Citizens Advice Bureau Service Information and Advice on all general enquiries in Tower Hamlets. Booking an appointment is necessary. To book an appointment call 020 7247 1050 Thursdays, 9:30am - 1:00pm Idea Store Chrisp Street |
|
Prime Time Come along to our weekly gatherings for anyone over 50! We aim to bring you culture, news, books, activities, talks and outings. Prime Time sessions are a great way to unwind and relax with a cup of tea. Thursdays, 10:00am - 12:00pm, Idea Store Chrisp Street Thursdays, 10:00am - 12:00pm, Idea Store Watney Market Thursdays, 10:30am - 12:00pm, Cubitt Town Library Thursdays, 10:00am– 12:00pm, Idea Store Bow |
|
Book Break Sit back and relax whilst listening to stories and poems, or join in with the reading or conversation. Thursdays, 2:30pm - 4:30pm Bethnal Green Library |
|
Teenage Book Club For over 12s only.Let’s share reading with others in a relaxing and friendly environment. Work with Idea Store staff to create a place that is special for you, where you can spend time with your friends and make new ones. In all Idea Stores and libraries Thursdays, 4:00pm |
|
Book Club A chance to talk all things books! 3rd Thursday of the month, 6:00pm Cubitt Town Library |
|
Book Group Discuss your favourite books with fellow readers at our free monthly. 2nd Thursday of every month, 6:30pm - 8:00pm Idea Store Whitechapel |
Friday
|
Royal Society for the Blind Job Club The Royal London Society for the Blind Employment Services Team can help you to achieve your career goals, and will support you on your journey towards a job.This is a drop-in service, no appointments necessary. Fridays, 10:00am - 12:00pm Idea Store Chrisp Street |
|
Account3 Legal Advice Session Free, drop-in general legal advice session with Account3. Money and debt, housing, council tax, employment rights, special needs education, consumer issues. Fridays, 2:00pm - 4:00pm Idea Store Bow |
|
Make the Most of Your Tablet, Your Computer and the Internet |
|
Homework Club Homework to do? We will help you find the answers with Britannica Online and other online and printed resources. In all Idea Stores and libraries Fridays from 4:00pm |
Saturday
 |
Dads' Club Dads’ Club is for dads to share books with their children. In all Idea Stores and libraries Saturdays, 11:15am |
|
Councillor Ohid Ahmed – Surgery |
|
Family Reading Group An opportunity for families to read together and share stories. Meet new families and make new friends. In all Idea Stores and libraries Saturdays, 2:15pm |
Sunday
|
Art Club Explore your creative side, find out about famous artists and look at how illustrations complement a story. Age: 5 - 11yrs. Sundays, 2:15pm Idea Store Bow, Idea Store Canary Wharf, Idea Store Chrisp Street and Idea Store Whitechapel |